Goddaughter of King Charles III praises emphasis on merit over rank in coronation invitations

 

 India Hicks in March 2015 in West Hollywood, California. Amy Graves/Getty Images for Nathan Turner

India Hicks, the second cousin and goddaughter of King Charles III, commended the monarch's handling of invitations to Saturday's coronation.

Hicks and her mother — Lady Pamela Mountbatten, who was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II — were not invited to attend the services, unlike previous coronations and royal events."He is setting a different tone," Hicks told CNN. "So my mother not being there, but giving a seat to someone who's done unbelievable good because of the merit of their behavior, rather than the rank — that's wonderful. That's how it should be."

She called the move "absolutely brilliant" and said her mother's initial reaction was that His Majesty was "very sensible."

"It makes such a good impression on this time and this climate," Hicks said.

Some background: Around 2,300 people were sent invitations to the service at Westminster Abbey. While the palace doesn’t release a detailed guest list, it confirmed that the congregation was made up of members of the royal family, as well as international representatives from 203 countries, and community and charity volunteers.